brand

¹

[brand]

noun

1. the kind, grade, or make of a product or service, as indicated by a stamp, trademark, or the like.

   the best brand of coffee.

2. a mark made by burning or otherwise, to indicate kind, grade, make, ownership, etc.

3. a mark formerly put upon criminals with a hot iron.

4. any mark of disgrace; stigma.

   Synonyms: taint, blot, spot, stain

5. branding iron.

6. a kind or variety of something distinguished by some distinctive characteristic.

   The movie was filled with slapstick—a brand of humor he did not find funny.

7. a set of distinctive characteristics that establish a recognizable image or identity for a person or thing.

   Building your personal brand will positively impact your career.

8. a burning or partly burned piece of wood.

9. Archaic.,  a sword.

verb (used with object)

1. to label or mark with or as if with a brand.

2. to mark with disgrace or infamy; stigmatize.

3. to impress indelibly.

   The plane crash was branded on her mind.

4. to give a brand name to.

   branded merchandise.

5. to promote as a brand or brand name.

Brand

²

[brand]

noun

1. Oscar, 1920–2016, U.S. folk singer, born in Canada.

2. a male given name.

brand

¹

/ brænd /

noun

1. a particular product or a characteristic that serves to identify a particular product

2. a trade name or trademark

3. a particular kind or variety

   he had his own brand of humour

4. an identifying mark made, usually by burning, on the skin of animals or (formerly) slaves or criminals, esp as a proof of ownership

5. an iron heated and used for branding animals, etc

6. a mark of disgrace or infamy; stigma

   he bore the brand of a coward

7. a burning or burnt piece of wood, as in a fire

8. archaic

   1. a flaming torch

   2. a sword

9. a fungal disease of garden plants characterized by brown spots on the leaves, caused by the rust fungus Puccinia arenariae

verb

1. to label, burn, or mark with or as with a brand

2. to place indelibly in the memory

   the scene of slaughter was branded in their minds

3. to denounce; stigmatize

   they branded him a traitor

4. to give a product a distinctive identity by means of characteristic design, packaging, etc

Brand

²

/ brænd /

noun

1. Russell , born 1975, English comedian and television presenter

Other Word Forms

• brander noun
• branding noun
• brandless adjective
• nonbrand adjective
• rebrand verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of brand¹

First recorded before 950; Middle English, Old English: “burning, a burning piece of wood, torch, sword”; cognate with Dutch brand, German Brand, Old Norse brandr; akin to burn ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of brand¹

Old English brand- , related to Old Norse brandr , Old High German brant ; see _burn ¹

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. on brand, in keeping with the distinctive characteristics that establish a recognizable identity for a person, product, or thing: He says he wants to be more compassionate, but that’s not really on brand for him.

   The hotel’s interactive website is so on brand.

   He says he wants to be more compassionate, but that’s not really on brand for him.

Example Sentences

As Lauren Sherman, the fashion journalist who broke the news of Malle's appointment, tells the BBC: "The Vogue brand stands apart, and is one of the most important fashion brands in the world."

From BBC

Those at the Emirates say Venkatesham saw significant value in branding Arsenal as a "cool" club - to appeal to the younger generation of global football fans.

From BBC

Calling all Trader Joe’s fans, you may want to double-check your freezer — especially if you recently stocked up on the brand’s frozen goodies.

From Salon

In the wake of launching her brand As Ever, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, is continuing her foray into all things lifestyle with a new season of “With Love, Meghan.”

From Salon

Ten of them are being deployed by a newly branded War Department to Puerto Rico to combat drug traffickers in dinghies.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• idle 
• untapped 
• vacant